The purpose of this study was to identify the tick species native to Xindi Township,Yumin County,Xinjiang,China.Preliminary morphological identification of parasitic ticks collected from animals in the area was conducted with an ultra-depth of field three-dimensional VHX 600 digital stereo microscope.Total DNA of the ticks was extracted,amplified by PCR based on the COI and ITS2 gene loci,and the posi-tive PCR products were sequenced.The sequence were a-ligned with reference sequences from the NCBI database were aligned with the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool.A genet-ic phylogenetic tree was generated with the neighbor-joining method of MEGA 7.0 software to determine the evolutionary biological characteristics of ticks.Morphological identification showed that the ticks collected from Xindi Township of Yu-min County were consistent with the characteristics of Hya-lomma asiaticum.An evolutionary tree based on the COI and ITS2 gene sequences showed that the ticks collected in this study were clustered with known H.asiaticum sequences.The PCR products of COI and ITS2 were sequenced and compared,which confirmed that the collected tick species were H.asiaticum,in agreement with the morphological and molecular biological results.These findings help to clarify the distribution of ticks in Xindi Township of Xinjiang,and provide basic data for the analysis of tick genetic and evolutionary characteristics,as reference for surveillance and control of ticks in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

This study aims to investigate the effects of baicalein(BAI) on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced human microglial clone 3(HMC3) cells, with a focus on suppressing inflammatory responses and elucidating the potential mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of BAI on ischemic stroke via modulating the cAMP-PKA-NF-κB/CREB pathway. The findings have significant implications for the application of traditional Chinese medicine in treating cerebral ischemic diseases. First, the safe dosage of BAI was screened, and then an inflammation model was established with HMC3 cells by induction with LPS for 24 h. The cells were assigned into a control group, a model group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose(5, 2.5, and 1.25 μmol·L~(-1), respectively) BAI groups. The levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA) in cell extracts, as well as the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) in the cell supernatant, were measured. Western blot was performed to determine the expression of protein kinase A(PKA), phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein(p-CREB), and nuclear factor-kappa B p65(NF-κB p65). Hoechst 33342/PI staining was employed to assess cell apoptosis. High and low doses of BAI were used for treatment in the research on the mechanism. The results revealed that BAI at the concentrations of 10 μmol·L~(-1) and below had no impact on normally cultured HMC3 cells. LPS induction at 200 ng·mL~(-1) for 24 h reduced the SOD activity and increased the MDA content in HMC3 cells. However, 5, 2.5, and 1.25 μmol·L~(-1) BAI significantly increased the SOD activity and 5 μmol·L~(-1) BAI significantly decreased the MDA content. In addition, BAI ameliorated the M1 polarization of HMC3 cells induced by LPS, as indicated by cellular morphology. The results of ELISA demonstrated that BAI significantly lowered the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and cAMP in the cell supernatant. Western blot revealed that BAI up-regulated the protein levels of PKA and p-CREB while down-regulating the expression of NF-κB p65. Hoechst 33342/PI staining results indicated that BAI mitigated the apoptosis of HMC3 cells. Overall, the results indicated that BAI had protective effects on the HMC3 cells induced by LPS, and could inhi-bit inflammatory response and improve cell apoptosis, which might be related to the regulation of the cAMP-PKA-NF-κB/CREB pathway.
Humans ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Microglia ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

The Leguminosae perennial vines of Callerya and Millettia have many species and wide distribution， not only can be used for medicines， but also they have ornamental and insecticidal effects. With increasing demand for Spatholobi Caulis， and the reserves of wild medicinal materials are on the verge of exhaustion， resulting in the increasing number of mixtures and substitutes in the market， which makes it urgent to study the origin of Spatholobi Caulis. By referring to related literature， there are three major origins of Spatholobi Caulis， including Callerya， Millettia and Spatholobus. Callerya is separated from Millettia， they are divided and united for many times， now the official website of Flora of China has accepted the revision of them as two genera. This paper intends to compare the chemical components and pharmacodynamic effects of Callerya and Millettia， aiming to explore the similarities and differences between the two genera， so as to determine the rationality and necessity of separating Callerya from Millettia. After comparing， it was found that the chemical composition and pharmacodynamic effects of the two genera were different， which supported the separation of Callerya from Millettia， and it was not recommended to mix use of them.

Objective:To explore the antidepressant mechanism of Yinxing Mihuan oral solution （YMO） by investigating its effect on depression model rats. Method:The depression rats were induced by isolation combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） and then randomly divided into model group， fluoxetine group （10 mg·kg^-1） and high-dose （618 mg·kg^-1） and low-dose （309 mg·kg^-1） YMO groups. A blank control group was also set up and ten rats were included in each group. Modeling lasted for 21 consecutive days， and rats were administered the 8th day after stimulation at a dose of 10 mL·kg^-1 for 14 days， except those in the blank control and model groups which were given distilled water. Afterward， the sucrose preference test， open field test， tail suspension test were carried out. The pathological changes of hippocampus in depression rats were observed after hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The content of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the hippocampus of rats in each group and the expression of NOD-like receptor 3 （NLRP3） and other proteins in its related activation signaling pathways were detected with multi-factor detection （Luminex） and Western blot. Result:After 14 days of continuous administration， compared with the blank control group， the model group witnessed significantly reduced sugar water consumption rate and the times of rearing and significantly prolonged cumulative time of immobility during tail suspension （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the fluoxetine group and the high-dose YMO group saw increases in the times of rearing， times of crossing and sugar water consumption rate and a significant decrease in the cumulative time of immobility during tail suspension （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of HE staining showed that the neurons in the hippocampus of rats in the high-dose YMO group were arranged in order and slightly loosened， without obvious microglia infiltration observed. The levels of IL-1β， IL-6 and TNF-α in the hippocampus of the model group increased significantly as compared with the blank control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and their content in the high-dose YMO group was significantly lowered in the comparison with the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Molecular biology experiments demonstrated that compared with the results of blank group， the expression of purinergic receptor P2X7 （P2RX7）， NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein （ASC）， Caspase-1 and IL-1β remarkably increased in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Additionally， the expression of P2RX7， NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1 and IL-1β was significantly inhibited in the fluoxetine group and the high-dose YMO group compared with the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Conclusion:YMO can improve the depression-like behaviors of rats induced by isolation combined with CUMS， and its mechanism of action is related to the regulation of the P2RX7/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo describe the undernutrition status of children under 5-year in China, and study the trend between 2002 and 2013).

METHODSThe study was based on two national surveys. Undernutrition was determined against WHO's 2006 growth standards. The prevalence in 2013 and 2002 was weighted by China sixth National Population Census (2010). The relationship between undernutrition and gender/age groups/different areas use weighted logistic regression.

RESULTSThe results indicated the overall prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting of Chinese children under 5-year was 8.1%, 2.4%, and 1.9% in 2013, respectively. The prevalence of stunting was higher for children aged 12-47 month, while underweight was higher for children aged 48-59 month. The prevalence of undernutrition was higher in rural areas than in urban areas, especially in poor rural areas. There was a decline of stunting, underweight, and wasting between 2002 and 2013 among the children, with greater reduction in rural areas than in urban areas.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of undernutrition of children under 5-year remains high in rural areas especially in poor rural areas in China. It is urgent to take action to control undernutrition in the vulnerable areas and subgroups.

Child Nutrition Disorders ; epidemiology ; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Malnutrition ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Thinness ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the protective effect of S-isopentenyl-L-cysteine,a new cysteine derivative,on DNA damage induced by radiation by using acute radiation injury animal models.

METHODSForty ICR mice were randomly divided into five groups:the control group,1.0Gy gamma irradiation group,1.0Gy gamma irradiation combined with S-isopentenyl-L-cysteine group,7.2Gy gamma irradiation group,and 7.2Gy gamma irradiation combined with S-isopentenyl-L-cysteine group,with 8 mice in each group.The comet assay and bone marrow polychromatic micronucleus experiments were performed to evaluate the double-strand DNA breaks in ICR mice exposed to 1.0 and 7.2Gy gamma-ray, respectively.

RESULTSThe tail DNA percentage,tail length,tail moment,and olive tail moment of peripheral blood lymphocytes in 7.2Gy gamma irradiation group were significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01).And it was also observed that above experimental indexes of 7.2Gy gamma irradiation combined with S-isopentenyl-L-cysteine group was significantly less than that of 7.2Gy gamma irradiation group (P<0.05). In addition,the micronucleus rate of 1.0Gy gamma irradiation group and 7.2Gy gamma irradiation group were both significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01). In addition,in mice given S-isopentenyl-L-cysteine before irradiation,the micronucleus rate of ICR mice exposed to 1.0 and 7.2Gy gamma-ray decreased from (39.5000 ± 3.3141)‰ to (28.1667±4.1345)‰ (P=0.033) and from (76.5000 ± 4.6242)‰ to (22.8333 ± 3.6553)‰(P=0.000),respectively. The bone marrow polychromatic micronucleus experiment indicated that the value of polychromatic erythrocyte (PCE)/normochromatic erythrocyte(NCE) of ICR mice exposed to 1.0 and 7.2Gy gamma-ray was less than the control group(P<0.05). Meanwhile,after irradiating by certain dose,the value of PCE/NCE in mice given S-isopentenyl-L-cysteine before irradiation was significantly higher than the corresponding groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS-isopentenyl-L-cysteine has a good protective effect against DNA damage induced by radiation.

Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Cysteine ; DNA Damage ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gamma Rays ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Radiation Injuries ; Radiation-Protective Agents

AIM: To investigate the chemical and bioactive constituents from the stems and leaves of Micromelum integerrimum. METHOD: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC. Their structures were mainly elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Their cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities were tested by the SRB and turbidimetric methods, respectively. RESULTS: Two new phenylpropanoids and two known coumarins were obtained, and their structures were identified as microintegerrin A (1), microintegerrin B (2), scopoletin (3), and scopolin (4). All of the compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines (HeLa, A549, and BGC-823) and for antimicrobial activity against the fungus Candida albicans and the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION Two new phenylpropanoids 1 and 2 were isolated and identified from the stems and leaves of M. intgerrimum. None of the compounds showed cytotoxic or antimicrobial activity at the tested concentration of 20 μg·mL(-1).
Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Coumarins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Phenylpropionates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Stems ; Rutaceae ; chemistry ; Scopoletin ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects

Objective To explore the high risk factors of the etiology of autism disorder.Methods Two hundred and seventy-eight children with autism disorder and 200 healthy children were investigated with self-designed questionnaire to obtain their demographic information,pre-and perinatal information,developmental information in toddler period.All the data were compared between autism group and healthy controls.Results 1.There were significant dif ferences in maternal prenatal data and perinatal data between autism group and healthy controls.Logistic regression analysis found that maternal/paternal reproductive age,family burden,caregiver,pregnancy reaction,drug administration in prenatal period,mode of delivery,chief instructor entered the regression equation.2.The 6 items in regression equation which had clinical significance consisted of maternal reproductive age above 30 years old [odds ratio (OR) =6.72],family history of mental disorders (OR =5.80),drug administration in prenatal period (OR =4.65),non-natural childbirth (OR =4.15),paternal reproductive age above 30 years old (OR =1.27),moderate or serious pregnancy reaction (OR =1.04).Conclusions The main risk factors of autism disorder in pre-and perinatal period consists of maternal reproductive age above 30 years old,positive family history of mental disorders,drug administration in prenatal period and non-natural childbirth.Avoiding these risk factors might contribute to reduce the incidence of autism.

In order to find antiviral compounds with novel structures, geldanamycin and lamivudine with different antiviral mechanisms were conjunctively synthesized to acquire a new compound TC-GM, and the antiviral activity of TC-GM was measured. The antiviral activity against HIV-1 was examined by p24 antigen ELISA kit. The activity against HBV was examined by dotblot. The activity against HSV and CoxB virus was examined by CPE. TC-GM exhibited broad-spectrum antiviral activities similarly like geldanamycin. TC-GM inhibited the replication of different viruses, including HIV-1, HBV, HSV 1 and 2, CoxB6. TC-GM showed more potent inhibitory activity against HIV-1 and HBV than other detected virus.
Animals ; Anti-HIV Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antiviral Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Benzoquinones ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Enterovirus B, Human ; drug effects ; physiology ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; physiology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; drug effects ; physiology ; Herpesvirus 2, Human ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Lactams, Macrocyclic ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Lamivudine ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; pathology ; virology ; Vero Cells ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

Objective To develop a small blast-wave-generating system for the simulation of the effect of blast waves on injuries.Methods The system consisting of the gas storage chamber, the launching device, the blast wave analysis system and the animal fixer was developed with the principles of air dynamics, the technique of membrane rupture and sensor detection technology. Pressures of the gas source were set at 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 kPa. Ultra pressure peak values, peak sustaining time and transmitting velocity of blast waves were recorded at the opening. 24 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A (the control group), group B (with a gas pressure source of 400 kPa), group C (with a gas pressure source of 600 kPa), group D (with a gas pressure source of 800 kPa), each consisting of 6 animals. Laminectomy was performed at T9 and T10 to expose dura mater bursa. All the animals in the experimental groups with the exception of those in the control group sustained injuries with a single blast wave of different gas pressures. After 48 hours of injury, changes in the hind limb movement, sensory function and spinal cord pathology were evaluated with histological analysis.Results The waveform of the system was similar to the Friedlander waveform, a typical air-blast waveform. Positive pressure peak and propagation velocity increased with the increase of gas pressures, while the duration of pressure peak remained basically unchanged. For the animals in the B, C, and D groups, sensory and motor functions deteriorated obviously with the increase of gas pressures. Statistical significance could be seen in the scores of sensory and motor functions(P<0.01).Conclusions The developed system was capable of simulating blast waves, with the features of stable performance, safety and good reproducibility. It could ideally be used to simulate light, moderate and severe spinal cord blast injuries.